That terrible feeling of being trapped at a pornography display returned on Friday night at Joe's Pub, the Public Theater's new cabaret and lounge.

The inquisitor, looking formidable with clipboard and pen, was standing sentinel outside Joe's Pub, the new cabaret and lounge flanking the lobby of the Public Theater.

More recently, he helped set up the Traverse's new writing cabaret, the Monday Lizard, and did the groundwork for the establishment of the Playwrights' Studio, Scotland.

Three new cabarets have opened in New York in recent months.

The new cabaret, Panache Encore, seats around 80 and usually has two different shows each evening, featuring both music and comedy.

Chris Connor and Margaret Whiting are among the singers who will appear at the new cabaret above Orlando's, 14 New Street, Huntington (421-0606), next month.

Dresden, for example, gained two new cabarets alongside the popular Herkuleskeule.

A selective listing of new or noteworthy cabaret shows in Manhattan this weekend.

Next was a short season at Kabarett Voltaire of his new cabaret, "Hayden Tee".

Here is a selective listing of new or noteworthy cabaret shows in Manhattan this weekend.